A story + skills workbook for kids who feel stuck in sadness, have lost their spark, or just do not feel like themselves.
Some kids feel heavy, tired, withdrawn, or not quite like themselves. Things they used to enjoy may stop feeling fun. Getting started can feel harder. Their brain may feel quieter, slower, or covered by a little cloud that will not move.
The Gloom Goblin helps kids understand low mood in a gentle, kid-friendly way. Through Zoe’s story, kids learn that sadness and withdrawal are not signs that something is wrong with who they are. They are signals that their brain and body may need support, care, and small steps back toward connection.
This workbook blends storytelling, behavioral activation, CBT-informed skill-building, and simple reflection tools to help kids notice the Gloom Goblin, understand how it grows, and practice small actions that can help shrink it over time.
WHAT’S INSIDE
A gentle workbook for sadness, low mood, and finding your spark again. This download includes a story, skill-building activities, and printable practice pages to help kids understand low mood, withdrawal, small helpful actions, and emotional support.
This workbook walks kids through Zoe’s story while helping them notice how low mood grows, identify small actions that can help, and practice reconnecting with people, activities, and parts of themselves that still matter.
Kid-Friendly Story
Follow Zoe as she meets the Gloom Goblin and learns how sadness can grow when we stop doing things that help us feel connected.
Low Mood Psychoeducation
Simple language to help kids understand sadness, withdrawal, low energy, and loss of interest.
Behavioral Activation Tools
Activities that help kids practice small, doable steps toward movement, connection, and joy.
Thought and Feeling Practice
Kid-friendly exercises for noticing gloomy thoughts and naming feelings with compassion.
Printable Worksheets
Practice pages kids can use with a parent, caregiver, counselor, therapist, or supportive grown-up.
This workbook is for:
Kids who feel sad, heavy, tired, withdrawn, or unlike themselves
Kids who have lost interest in things they used to enjoy
Kids who need gentle support reconnecting with routines, people, and activities
Parents and caregivers who want kid-friendly language for low mood
Teachers, counselors, and therapists looking for behavioral activation tools for children
This workbook is a psychoeducational resource and is not a substitute for mental health treatment. If your child is experiencing persistent sadness, withdrawal, changes in sleep or appetite, thoughts of self-harm, or significant changes in functioning, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional.